PHAT!buzz July 2019 Issue #222

Since December 2000

JULY 2019 FREE COPY No. 222

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AYROSH

Pb: Congratulations in the Launch of your Latest EP Launch, could you tell us more about it?

A: Thank you. Murasta, is a 7-Track Project that compiles some of the more Experimental work I have done. It features music written majorly in Gikuyu and bits of English and Kiswahili. The tracks in the respective order in the EP are: ‘Uka Mami’, ‘Murasta’, ‘Ngutunge’, ‘Nikikukosa’, ‘Kirinyaga’, ‘Got Hitched’ and ‘Guuku’ which features Kwame Rigii.

Pb: How Did You Meet Mutoria and How Is It Working with Such a Talented Producer?

A: Mutoria and I met in music school and found out that we come from the same area. Since then we have worked on numerous projects for example the song ‘Maheni’. He is also my music director during Live performances. The Murasta EP is was produced by a Phenomenal producer and friend, Waithaka of WAITHAKA ENT. He is also the brains behind songs such as ‘Shuga Mami’ and ‘Love Respect Repeat’ which I performed alongside: Ythera.

Pb: How is it working with Ythera?

A: Working with Ythera was one of the best experiences I can think off. She is an amazing human being and a powerful vocalist. I would say that she literally brought the song to life. I also heard similar sentiments from other individuals who worked on the song.

Pb: How would you describe your Style of Music?

Pb:Tell us more about the Artists on the EP A: The EP features singer or songwriter, Kwame Rigii. Kwame is one of the musicians that I look up to. It was therefore an honour that he agreed to do the song: ‘Guuku’ with me. He is a phenomenal songwriter and we share a lot in ideology and philosophy when it comes to the music. The EP also features a group of producers called: The Exchange Project, Saint Evo, Brakkish, Festus from Cameroon and the song ‘Kirinyaga’ I co-produced with DJ Mura.

Pb: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

A: .Just start, keep at it, stay motivated, be open to learning, do your thing and everything else will fall in place in due time. Also stay true to who you are and practice the kind of art that you enjoy. No pressure.

Pb: Apart from music, what do you enjoy doing?

A: I like talking so we host a podcast called: Jus Kidding; with my friend, Chaxy. I also enjoy event organising, so I am very involved in the events we set up at Folk Fusion. Recently I got into acting as well.

Pb: Where do you See yourself in 5 years?

A: Selling out stadiums all over the world and sharing African Sauce like the greats before me.

A: My style basically Kikuyu Afro-Pop. It is highly influenced by Gikuyu Folk music, so I decided to call it Folk Fusion. Folk Fusion is also the name of the Mugithi Event I hold every so often at 910 James Gichuru.

Interview by Njeri Kimani | Photos courtesy of Ayrosh

Femi Kuti was born Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti on June 16, 1962 in London.

He is the eldest son of afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, and a grandchild of a political campaigner, women’s rights activist and traditional aristocrat Funmilayo Ransome Kuti.

He grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, Femi’s musical career started at 15 when he began playing in his father’s band, Egypt 80 in 1979.

On December 13, 1986, Femi started his own band, Positive Force, and was joined by his sisters Yeni and Sola (as the lead dancers) and began establishing himself as an artist independent of his father’s massive legacy.

The band’s first show was at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in that same year. His first record was released in 1989, No Cause for Alarm, (Polygram records) followed by MYOB in 1991 (Kalakuta Records). Four years later he released title Album Femi Kuti under Tabu/ Motown, and in 1998 Shoki Shoki (MCA), which garnered widespread critical acclaim.

In 2000 he opened The Shrine, his club, where he recorded the live album Africa Shrine.

He won a Monaco “World Music Award” that same year !

In 2001 he collaborated with Common and Mos Def on Fight to Win, and started touring the United States with Jane’s Addiction.

After a 4-year absence due to personal setbacks, he re-emerged in 2008 with Day by Day and Africa for Africa in 2010, for which he received two Grammy nominations.

In 2012 he was both inducted into the Headies Hall of Fame (the most prestigious music awards in Nigeria) and was the opening act on the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ European Tour, and became an Ambassador for Amnesty International.

He continues to expand the diversity of his artistry on his 2013 album No Place for My Dream (another Grammy nominations!).

Like his father, Femi has shown a strong commitment to social and political causes throughout his career and continues to fight for a free and fair Nigeria.

Femi Kuti will be performing at the 26th Edition of Koroga Festival at TATU City on 7th July 2019.

See you there.

MY REAL NAME IS: Vundi Mwatha I GOT MY STAGE NAME FROM: My Nickname I LIKE TO PLAY: Riddims, Roots, Gospel, Locals, Vernaculars, Dancehalls, Rumba & Bongo I GOT INTO DEEJAYING: Because of my Love for Music I LEARNT DEEJAYING FROM: Bling It On Deejay Academy IT’S BEEN: One Year Since I started Deejaying IF I WASN’T A DEEJAY: I would be doing art work, that’s my talent MY LAST WORDS?: I am working towards owning a sound system and then start my Deejay Academy so as to assist other youths whom are interested

CARNIVORE SIMBA SALOON, LANGATA, NAIROBI: Roaring BBQ Ribs on Tuesday, from 6pm. Entry: KES 990/- Adult & KES 450/- Child. Rhumba Night every 1st Friday, by DJs Wattii, Wikki & Martin; and New Jack Swing, every 3rd Friday.

Entry for each: KES 300/-. Cultural Nights, every last Friday. Entry: KES 500/-.

GUAVA LOUNGE, BUFFET PARK, HURLINGHAM, NAIROBI: Reggae on Monday to Thursday, from 11.00am to 7.00pm. Comedy Night, with Freddy, on Monday. Karaoke Night on Thursday, with Erika & Soul Masters. Good looking Friday, with DJ Exotic. Supa Sato, with DJ Symo Mfalme. Free entry.

K1 KLUBHOUSE, OJIJO ROAD, PARKLANDS, NAIROBI: Back to the 80S, on Monday. Jazz Nite, on Tuesday, with Mwai & The Truth Band. Wednesday Night Live, with K1 Mixxmasters. One Love Thursday, with Dohty Family. Live Band Karaoke, on Friday. Gogosimo Band, on Saturday. Sunday Soul, with The Spindoktors. Free entry.

KENGELES, LAVINGTON GREEN, NAIROBI: Band Night, every last Thursday. Free entry. Networking event, every second Thursday. Free entry. Quiz Night, every 3rd Wednesday. Entry: KES 500/-.

MYERS LOUNGE, NAIVASHA ROAD, NAIROBI: Karaoke, with Doryne & Elsie, on Thursday. Ladies Night, with DJ Jacky, on Friday. Steady Saturday, with DJ Ticco, DJ Ben & DJ Davince. Reggae Jamdown, with DJ Vosty & DJ Ticco, on Sunday. Free entry.

RAFIKIZ, LANGATA ROAD, NAIROBI: Monday: Soft Rock. Tuesday: Karaoke, with Kendi. Wednesday: DJ Protege. Seduction Thursday: Punch & Cocktails. Friday: Old Skul. Easy Saturday: DJ Mixes. Free entry.

SAILORS’ BAR & LOUNGE, HURLINGHAM, NAIROBI: Monday & Tuesday: Slow Jams. Wednesday: Rhumba Nite. Thursday: Kizomba. Friday & Saturday: Club Nites, with DJ Sting. Sunday: Salsa Nite. Free entry.

7 DEGREES BAR & LOUNGE, NAIVASHA ROAD, DAGORETTI CORNER, NAIROBI: Happy Hour (Beers at KES 180/-), from 5.00pm to 8.00pm, every Tuesday to Thursday.

Karaoke every Thursday, hosted by Didi and DJ Kuch. Friday Mix, with DJ Seph. Saturday Mix, with DJ Kuch. Free entry.

SIPPERS BAR & RESTAURANT, HURLINGHAM, NAIROBI: Monday to Thursday: Rhumba and Blues, with DJ Selector. Friday & Saturday: Hutu Band, with Awilo Jamnazi. Sunday: Jazz, with Wakurugenzi Band. Free entry.

24/7, VIEW PARK TOWERS, NAIROBI: Beers at reduced Prices, on Tuesday & Wednesday. Red Carpet Affair, on Thursday. Ace Cards, on Friday. Reggae Nite, by Livity Sounds, on Sunday. Free entry.

ART & TRADE EXHIBITIONS DATE: Monday 1st to Wednesday 24th EVENT: Outer World Women VENUE: Karen Village, Ngong Road, Nairobi DETAILS: Outer world women is an exhibition featuring 12 of the most afro-futuristic female artists, illustrators and designers to have touched a physical or digital canvas in east africa.

The theme asked them to imagine “what if Afrikans reconnected with outer world beings?”

Curated and produced by Nairobi Design week and in collaboration with Africa Nouveau Festival we have this amazing exhibition with over 12 artists TIME: 9:00am til 7:00pm.

ENTRY: Free DATE: Friday 5th & Saturday 6th EVENT: Machakos ArtFest VENUE: Machako’s Peoples Park DETAILS: A platform for artistic expressions through performances and exhibitions, which allow artistes to showcase as well as market their services TIME: 8:00am til 6:00pm.

ENTRY: Free entry DATE: Saturday 6th EVENT: Kilimani Street Festival VENUE: Rose Avenue, Kilimani, Nairobi DETAILS: Come around for a 5K run in the morning and later in the day for some shopping, food and drinks TIME: 10:00am til 6:00pm ENTRY: Free entry

PARTIES & CONCERTS DATE: Saturday 6th EVENT: Lost in Soul VENUE: Michael Joseph Centre, Safaricom Hse, Westlands, Nairobi DETAILS: A wholesome showcase aimed at making you lose yourself in your deepest self, your soul with performances by: Wendy Kemunto, Brandy Maina, Terrianne Iraki, Muthaka & more TIME: 1:00pm til 9:00pm ENTRY: KES 800/-

PLAYS & THEATRE DATE: Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th EVENT: Sweet Lies VENUE: Kenya National Theatre, Nairobi DETAILS: A hilarious comedy play by: KINGSHIP THEATRE TIME: 3:00pm and 6:00pm ENTRY: KES 600/- Single & KES 1,000/- Couples

DATE: Saturday 6th EVENT: The Nairobi String Quartet VENUE: Western Heights, Karuna Road, Westlands, Nairobi DETAILS: A wonderful night of classical and contemporary music provided by Kenya’s premier string ensemble, the Nairobi String Quartet. The highly talented musicians provide you with a completely satisfying musical experience. Special performances by Doreen Ziegler and Dan Abissi.

TIME: 6:15pm til 9.30pm ENTRY: KES 2,000 at the Door DATE: Sunday 7th EVENT: Koroga Festival VENUE: Tatu City, Kiambu DETAILS: Performances by: Femi Kuti, Jua Cali, Ethic, Gwaash, Them Mushrooms & Samidoh TIME: 2:00pm til 11:59pm ENTRY: KES 1,500/DATE: Thursday 18th EVENT: Thursday Nite Live VENUE: J’s Fresh Bar & Kitchen, Muthangari Drive, Westlands, Nrb DETAILS: Featuring the afro fusion of: Serro & The Charactaz TIME: 8:00pm til 11:00pm ENTRY: Free DATE: Thursday 25th EVENT: Thursday Nite Live VENUE: J’s Fresh Bar & Kitchen, Muthangari Drive, Westlands, Nrb DETAILS: Featuring the good times and message music of Kenyan legend: Eric Wainaina TIME: 8:00pm til 11:00pm.

ENTRY: Free

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